Next Tuesday is the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, a day traditionally marked by fasting and mourning. It also marks the beginning of the Three Weeks, a 21-day period that ends with another day of fasting and grief — Tisha B’Av, the 9th of the month of Av.
The themes brought forth by the narratives of this unique time on the Jewish calendar can be tricky to teach, as they encompass a range of events and ideas. We hope the materials provided in this email help you assemble lesson plans and divrei Torah for the coming weeks.
Beyond Baseless Hatred: Kamtza and Bar Kamtza
The tale of Kamtza and bar Kamtza is a Talmudic story found in the tractate Gittin, and is one of the foundational midrashim referenced when explaining the reasons the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. This sheet collection brings together source sheets created by a variety of Sefaria users whose many outlooks provide a variety of perspectives on this classic tale.
One Day at a Time
In the Narrow Places: Daily Inspiration for the Three Weeks is a work by 21st-century scholar Dr. Erica Brown. This collection of short essays and prompts for reflection is designed to accompany the reader during the period from the 17th of Tammuz to Tisha B’Av. This book may be especially helpful for those working on more accessible divrei torah or teaching materials based on the specific days of the Three Weeks.
Lamentations (and More)
The book of Eikhah (Lamentations) is traditionally read on the night of Tisha B’Av, and is attributed in the Talmud to the prophet Jeremiah. The text of Eikhah describes the suffering of Jerusalem and its former inhabitants and grapples with theological explanations for that suffering. Eikhah Rabbah is a Talmudic-era midrash on the book of Lamentations compiled in Israel. It includes both commentaries on the text of the book itself and sermons on related topics. Full English and Hebrew versions of Eikhah and Eikhah Rabbah are both available on Sefaria.
As you’re putting together worksheets and divrei Torah for the coming weeks, don’t forget to try out Sefaria for Google Docs. This one-stop-shop browser extension allows users to add any resource in the library to a Google Doc with the click of a button (among other features). Find full instructions on how to use the extension here. You might also want to take a look at some of the relevant curated topic pages, such as Three Weeks, Tisha B’Av, Baseless Hatred, and Destruction of the Temple.